Williams unveils bold new FW48 livery for 2026 season

Williams has revealed the striking new livery for its 2026 Formula 1 car, the FW48, blending modern design with historic nods as the team prepares for the sport's new regulatory era. The launch at the Grove factory featured drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz, celebrating the work of the team's 1,200-strong workforce ahead of the competitive season.

Why it matters:

The FW48's debut is more than just a paint job; it symbolizes Williams's intent and momentum heading into a pivotal rule change. After a resurgent 2025 season and with a high-profile new driver lineup, the team is aiming to convert its recent progress into a sustained challenge further up the grid under the new technical regulations.

The details:

• The livery features a vibrant gloss blue—synonymous with title partner Atlassian—that flows into a black section from the chassis rearward, framed by a red-and-white keyline.
• This accent line is a subtle homage to championship-winning cars like Nigel Mansell's FW14B and Damon Hill's FW18, the latter celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
• Crisp white sections across the sidepods, front wing, and rear wing add a modern, dynamic edge and prominently display partner logos.
• The reveal comes after Williams missed the Barcelona shakedown last week due to production delays, highlighting the intense challenge of preparing a car under the all-new rules.
• The FW48 is built to the 2026 regulations, which mandate shorter, narrower cars with significantly reworked aerodynamics.

The big picture:

The launch caps a period of building momentum for the historic team. Williams is coming off its most successful season in nearly a decade, having finished fifth in the 2025 Constructors' Championship with 137 points and scoring podium finishes. The team has also secured a suite of new global partners, including Barclays and Anthropic, strengthening its commercial foundation.

What's next:

Team Principal James Vowles acknowledged the unknowns of the new era but expressed optimism. The focus now shifts to track performance, with the team hoping its fresh look is matched by a competitive step forward. The FW48 represents a clear statement of intent as Williams seeks to leverage the regulatory reset to continue its journey back toward the front of the Formula 1 grid.